Jadie
Disclaimer: not mine
A/N: Ok first off, it was pure coincidence that the killer's name, Nadine is the same as Don's new love interest on the show. That being said, I don't really care for that particular character and maybe this was my subconscious acting out:P Nadine seemed like a good name for the killer at the time—my bad. Second, I just want to send out a general thank you to all my reviewers—you guys make writing this so rewarding! Oh and anything medical or official type things that I mention in this chapter—all made up to my own little rules—its most likely inaccurate –please try not to raise too much hell. Anyway, blah blah blah, here's the next chapter!
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CHAPTER 17: Unfinished—"… something just wasn't over…"
Don groggily opened his eyes to find the fluorescent lights of the hospital room glaring back at him. Momentarily he wondered what had transpired before the flood of memory came rushing back. He couldn't remember whether of not David got the killer, but he supposed he was probably already officially taking more than just a few days off, whether he liked it or not, and it wasn't his problem—so to speak. Besides, Sinclair, Reeves and Granger were all good agents—they could handle themselves.
Don shifted his weight, damn hospital beds, so uncomfortable, and noticed a warmth next to him.
'Lo and behold, a certain small figure was curled up next to him on the bed. Don tenderly began moving a few strands of hair from her slumbering face when someone else in the room, someone Don hadn't noticed, spoke.
"She wouldn't stay in her own room," Alan spoke from the other side of the bed. Don looked over at his father—Alan smiled wearily at his son and as Don's eyes found Charlie's sleeping form in the chair next to Alan, both men shared a chuckle.
Charlie's head was tilted all the way back on the chair, his mouth opened slightly, periodically issuing faint snores.
"Jadie," Alan continued speaking softly, looking at the peacefully sleeping child, "…refused to stay in her own room—kept sneaking over here until finally they just let her stay."
"How long have I been out?" Don queried, rubbing the grit from his eyes.
"Oh, about a day and a half. They did a couple blood transfusions because of blood loss but they say now you should be just fine." Alan leaned forward and took hold of Don's hand. "You gave us quite a scare you know…" Alan gave Don a crooked smile, and Don could see the bags under his father's eyes.
"Dad, you look beat," Don spoke softly, "Why don't you go ahead and rouse sleeping beauty there, go home and rest up—I'm not going anywhere." Don gave Alan's hand a gentle squeeze, and Alan nodded reluctantly.
"Charlie…"Alan shook Charlie's shoulder gently. Don felt himself start to grin as Alan progressively raised his voice and shook Charlie a little harder each time. Alan turned to Don as Charlie snorted in his sleep and shifted his weight in the chair in his father's latest attempts to wake him.
"It's like trying to raise the dead!" Alan exclaimed, exasperated, throwing his hands up in the air in defeat. Don laughed and signaled for his father to hand him a pen from a nearby table that was just out of his reach. Grinning, Don took careful aim…
"Yo, Charlie!" Don called as he threw the pen. Charlie jumped as the pen bounced off his forehead with a small smack.
"Wha…?" Charlie groggily asked as he almost fell out of his chair.
"Charlie," Alan began, with his 'fathering' voice, "Don's awake and ok, we're going to go home and get some sleep."
"Don?" Charlie looked at Don, his eyes fuzzy and still clearly not awake, he grinned. "You ok then?" Charlie mumbled.
"Yeah buddy, I'm fine—go home and get some sleep, alright?" Don said with a smile. Charlie nodded, smiling contentedly, and allowed Alan to lead his from the hospital room. Don settled down on the bed chuckling as he watched his father shake his head at Charlie in mock disgust, but the faint smile on his lips gave him away as to what he was really thinking.
Don peered down at the small girl who had not stirred during the entire exchange between him and his family but rather, slept soundly; as if she had no doubt that she was safe. Don wondered, with a pang in his chest, what was going to happen to her now?
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One month later
Don sat back on the couch at his brother's house and heaved a huge sigh. The court case involving the Sadist had now come to a close. The FBI had managed to track down an entire roster of victims that the sociopathic woman had killed and they conveniently had her tried in a state that allowed the death penalty. It was no surprise that she got it. Jadie testified at preliminary hearings, doing surprisingly well, but it was determined that it wasn't necessary that she attend the trial. Instead, they recorded her account of events and sent the tape in to be reviewed by the jury. They had made an exception for her, allowing her to not testify at the trial, but in all actuality it was the only was they could get her statement. She refused to talk unless Don was present and Don was still not in good enough shape to make the trip to the trial.
Don leaned forward, putting his head in his hands. The case was over now but, something, something just wasn't over. Don had a feeling that something was unfinished.
"Hey Don…Are you feeling ok?" Charlie's concerned voice suddenly entered the room, startling Don, causing him to snap his head in Charlie's direction.
"Fine…I feel…fine." Don felt like hell, truth be told, but he wasn't admitting that to his younger brother.
"You don't look fine…"Charlie peered at his brother's weary face as he sat down next to him on the couch. "Something you want to talk about?"
"No." Don answered too quickly, shaking his head.
"So…by 'no'…you really mean 'yes' right?" Charlie's face tilted and he developed a half-smile. "Is it the fact that Jadie wound up in an orphanage that's bugging you?" Charlie asked seriously.
"No…"Don winced at the gruff sound of his own voice before he relented, "Ok, yes but I know it's illogical…"Don raked his hand through his hair, "I know that it's the best orphanage in the state and that she needs to be there because they specialize in taking care of traumatized children but I still feel like I let her down or something." Don rubbed his hand over his face, then leaned and rested his chin in his hand.
"Don," Charlie started gently, "It's sounds like you're trying to convince yourself…and there's no reason for you to feel guilty…she's in good hands now." Charlie placed a reassuring hand on his brother's back.
"I know but…" Don hesitated, "I know that she felt safe with me, she trusted me and I feel that I've betrayed her in some way, putting her in the orphanage." A thought entered Don's mind, and he began to mull it over, thinking about the different angles trying to find the flaws.
"Oh, well," Don spoke with sudden, and feigned casualness; he wanted Charlie's opinion and depending on what it was, it would make up Don's mind on his certain thought. "…I'm not really great with kids anyway…She's better off with them…" Don trailed off—either Charlie would nod and agree that it was for best, or he wouldn't agree…
"Don!" Charlie exclaimed, "You're great with kids!" Charlie reacted, saying what he felt was the absolute truth without a second thought. "What are you thinking? You did great with Jadie!" Charlie looked at Don, confused not only by the change in Don's attitude but also at Don's apparent lack of confidence in dealing with children. Don smiled, that decides it, he thought.
"Thanks Charlie, you just helped me make up my mind about something," Don patted Charlie's leg, got up and grabbed his coat, moving towards the door. "I'll be back in a little while—I've got something I've got to go do!" Don closed the front door behind him, moving with utter certainty and purpose, leaving a puzzled Charlie in his wake.
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A/N: And now for the finale…